Hiding behind fear is no place to hide
This episode is perhaps my favorite to date simply because it truly allowed us to see behind the masks that each of the crew wears. There had to be a reason that these 8 people were chosen for this particular mission and this episode clearly showed what it was. At the end of the day, these people are friends and that is the glue that binds them together and will help them through just about any adversity they will face.
Ambiguously titled ‘Bacon,’ it was hard to figure out why this episode was about bacon. But when it was ultimately revealed to be a story about Donner’s (Ron Livingston) pet pig, Thomas, who he had to kill as a child, we finally understood. It was all fun and games to poke fun of Donner’s blood fear, but when you heard why, our hearts broke for a boy so traumatized.
As humans, blood is our life force. We cannot live without it and once it is gone, there is no way to survive. Thus, the importance placed on teaching each of the astronauts the necessity of being medically trained so that they can take care of themselves and help each other in medical emergencies while in space was critical. For without each other to rely on, they will die.
After Paula (Paula Garces) was pinned by the storage container and her thumb severed, all the blood she lost was irreplaceable and also a threat to all of them. As Nadia (Florentine Lahme) explained, “The blood can clog our air filters. It’s critical that we clean it up.”
It also explained Zoe’s (Laura Harris) strong adverse reaction upon learning that Jen (Christina Cox) was raising a rabbit fetus, as a rabbit’s hair could also clog a filter, cause an allergic reaction or even send an infection airborne. Though it was just as illuminating to hear Jen’s explanation on why she was doing it when she said, “[I’ve] got 6 years to keep my mind on Rollie and off Ted.” To which Zoe responded, “[We have] halos for that.” Jen further clarified, “Halos kill libido. They don’t do a damn thing if you’re lonely.” This is a 6 year mission and human beings do not do well without companionship — especially when they expected to spend that time with their spouse.
But Ted (Malik Yoba) was firm when he issued the edict, “Our lives depend on each other. you are to tell me everything — everything that could possibly affect this mission or the other astronauts. No exceptions.”
What Worked
Just when you thought Donner and Zoe would be drifting further and further apart because of her decision to take the abortion pill, their fates seem more firmly intertwined than ever. Zoe made every effort to stay away from Donner — especially on the day she is having a miscarriage, but everywhere she turned he ended up being there anyway. Donner was there at the bus stop because of his blood-phobia and thus he was there to catch her when she collapsed and he was there while she was recuperating from her emergency hysterectomy. It was also telling that the only time Donner finally hurled at the sight of blood was when he saw Zoe’s blood on his hands. As hard as Zoe tries to push Donner away, they are clearly destined to be a close part of each other’s lives.
Another nicely developing relationship is Wass (Dylan Taylor) and Paula. It is not known whether they are to be a romantic pairing or simply good friends, but their trials and tribulations are also bringing them closer together. Watching Wass comfort Paula after the junkie OD’d was uncharacteristically supportive and Wass’ refusal to give up on looking for Paula’s severed thumb was unexpectedly endearing as well. For as Nadia noted to Wass, “You don’t even like Paula.” Wass then thoughtfully responded, “That doesn’t matter. If I was on that table, she wouldn’t give up on me.”
In an astute observation, Nadia told Wass, “Over and over I ask myself why they chose you for this crew — you’re clumsy, you eat too much and you behave like a 12 year old boy — but you know what? Every once in awhile you find the thumb.”
We also finally learned the root of Evram’s (Eyal Podell) terrifying hallucinations. As he told Claire (Maxim Roy) when she asked him if he ever remembered any of his patients, “I remember a school girl in a bombed-out building during the war . . . I was the one who called in the strike.” It is Evram’s guilt that eats away at him and haunts him, so much so that it paralyzed him when he was working to save Paula’s life. But it was again teamenship that ultimately saved the day as Donner overcame his blood fear to reach into Paula’s chest to locate the area that was bleeding because Evram could not see beyond his horrifying vision.
Donner’s explained it as, “We never remember the ones we save, but we never forget the ones we fail. It’s about taking responsibility for our choices — about learning from sacrifice. It’s those hard lessons that shape us and how we respond — where we go in our lives. I don’t think there has ever been a man or a woman without some kind of regret and that’s probably a good thing. Because it’s our failures, more than our successes, that make us who we are.” It is perhaps because these 8 people are flawed and yet are willing to lay down their lives for each other that they make the perfect team.
What Didn’t Work
Jen’s stubborn insistence in raising a bunny rabbit on a space ship when she perfectly well knows that it could throw off the balance of the entire fragile eco-system they have created on the Antares seems irrational and like she is selfishly willing to sacrifice them all just because she is lonely. Given what we have seen of her dedication to science and helping others, this does not make much sense. But perhaps in future episodes we will learn where this deep-seated fear of loneliness stems from.
Giving Credit Where Credit Is Due
‘Bacon’ was written by Dave Erickson and directed by Sturla Gunnarsson. ‘Defying Gravity’ stars Ron Livingston, Laura Harris, Christina Cox, Ty Olsson, Malik Yoba, Karen LeBlanc, Andrew Airlie, Maxim Roy, Paula Garces, Florentine Lahme, Zahf Paroo, Eyal Podell, Dylan Taylor, and Peter Howitt. “Defying Gravity” airs Sundays at 10 p.m. on ABC.
